H1N1 Virus / Swine Flu – Discuss

Swine flu is a respiratory disease caused by influenza A virus H1N1 virus. Maximum people lack immunity against swine influenza A (H1N1) virus, so it transfer easily from person to person and has created global anarchy. A simple sneeze may cause thousands of germs to spread through the air. The virus can linger on tables and surface areas like door knobs, waiting to be picked up. The strain H1N1 may have originated in pigs, but now it is common with Human beings. Swine flu causes many symptoms that are similar to regular influenza. The symptoms of 2009 H1N1 flu virus in people include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea. People may be infected with the flu, including 2009 H1N1 and have respiratory symptoms without a fever. Injection and nasal spray vaccinations are available to prevent swine flu. The best means of dealing with swine flu is to prevent it. Hand sanitization is important to stop the spread of the virus, and staying away from infected people will help stop person-to-person transmission. Young children should be kept home from child care. Drink plenty of fluids and rest. Swine flu is unusual because it doesn't target the same age group as the rhinovirus (typical flu). The disease focuses on young adults. This is unusual because most flu viruses attack those who are elderly or very young. Some form of immunity to swine flu may exist in the elderly due to previous flu exposures.

Vaccination to prevent influenza is particularly important for people who are at increased risk for severe complications from influenza or at higher risk for influenza-related doctor or hospital visits. When vaccine supply is limited, vaccination efforts should focus on delivering vaccination to the following people since these populations have a higher risk for H1N1 and some other viral infections according to the CDC:

• All children 6 months to 4 years (59 months) of age
• All people 50 years of age and older
• Adults and children who have chronic pulmonary (including asthma) or cardiovascular (except isolated hypertension), renal, hepatic, neurological, hematologic, or metabolic disorders (including diabetes mellitus)
• People who have immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications or by HIV)
• Women who are or will be pregnant during the influenza season
• Children and adolescents (6 months to 18 years of age) who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and who might be at risk for experiencing Reye's syndrome after influenza virus infection.

The spread of this virus is far from over and the threat of a 2nd more severe wave in the Autumn or winter has the world hanging on by a knife point. This virus could mutate and become far dangerous, current estimations calculate that 120 million people may die from this newly discovered to which we have no immunity to. All in all this situation is likely to get worse in the next couple of months and we should now focus our efforts on helping developing countries like Africa and also saving as many as we can, too carry on life if an unprecedented amount of people die. Although this virus has been very mild to most of the people who has had it, it is expected to come back in the fall or winter with avengeancee. At this time, the virus is still spreading and is far from over.... I hope this helps!

Deepak Soni